Factors influencing defaulting from tuberclosis treatment in Masaka District

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis is a worldwide burden of infectious diseases About 2 Billion People are infected with TB every year and 3 Million people die. TB defaulting has been estimated to be 50-60% in Masaka district. Objective: The aim was to determine the factors influencing defaulting from TB treatment in Masaka District Methodology: This study was an unmatched community based case control study using both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods between January-March 2004. 0ne hundred forty-three cases and One hundred forty three controls were studied. Cases were TB patients who stopped treatment for two consecutive months or more; controls were TB patients who completed anti-TB treatment Cases were selected from the population, which started treatment and stopped for two or more months using consecutives sampling method and fulfilled the selection criteria. Controls were selected from these people who completed TB treatment between Jan 2001 – March 2004 using consecutive sampling method and who fulfilled the selection criteria. Quantitative data from respondents was collected using a semi structured Questionnaire. Qualitative data from respondents was got from Key Informants and focus group. Results: Two hundred eighty six individuals were studied the predictors found to be independently associated with defaulting from TB treatment in Masaka District after adjusting for other variable were not knowing the causes of TB; Lack of health education; long waiting time at the clinics; lack of support from the relatives and fear of side effects of anti-TB drugs. Conclusions: More people were likely to default from TB treatment due to lack of Health education, long waiting hours at the clinic and lack of support relatives and fear of side effects of anti-TB drugs.